Rent Office 1619 Broadway

History of 1619 Broadway – The Brill Building

The building located at 1619 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, is famously known as the Brill Building. Constructed in 1931, it was originally named the Alan E. Lefcourt Building after the son of its builder, Abraham E. Lefcourt. The building was designed by architect Victor A. Bark Jr. and is an 11-story office building with approximately 175,000 square feet of rentable space.

The site's early history includes being leased to the Brill brothers, haberdashers who operated a clothing store at the street level in the early 20th century. The building's name derives from Maurice Brill, one of the Brill brothers, who eventually purchased the building.

Strategically positioned on 49th Street just north of Times Square and near the historic Tin Pan Alley neighborhood, the Brill Building became a major center for the American music industry, especially during the late 1950s and 1960s. It housed numerous music publishers, songwriters, agents, and recording studios. The concentration of music businesses and creative talent led to the coining of the term "Brill Building Sound," a distinctive style of mainstream American popular music heavily influenced by Latin music, traditional black gospel, and rhythm and blues.

At its peak in 1962, the Brill Building housed around 165 music businesses, offering a one-stop hub where musicians could write, publish, promote, and produce their work within the same building. Notable artists and songwriters associated with the building include Carole King, Neil Diamond, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, and many others. The collaborative and competitive atmosphere was famously intense, driving prolific music creation.

Architecturally, the Brill Building is designed in the Art Deco style, featuring white brick elevations, terra-cotta reliefs, and decorative stone and brass portrait busts likely representing the developer’s son, Alan Lefcourt. It was designated a New York City landmark on March 23, 2010, recognizing its cultural and architectural significance.

In recent years, the building has undergone renovations and changes in ownership, including a purchase by 1619 Broadway Realty LLC in 2013 and subsequent renovations that modernized parts of the facility. Retail spaces such as CVS Pharmacy and TD Bank currently occupy parts of the ground floor. Despite these changes, the Brill Building remains a symbol of New York City's rich musical heritage and historic architecture.

1619 Broadway, Manhattan, NYC

This building is commonly known as the Brill Building, located in the Theatre District - Times Square neighborhood of Manhattan.

Property Details:

• Address: 1619 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
• Secondary Address: 207-213 W 49th St
• Neighborhood: Theatre District - Times Square
• Year Built: 1931
• Stories: 11
• Building Size: Approximately 158,000 SF
• Lot Size: 0.3 Acres
• Building Type: Office with Commercial

Purchase History:

• Purchase Date: November 1, 2017
• Purchase Price: $28,050,000

The Brill Building, located at 1619 Broadway in Manhattan, NYC, offers several notable amenities. Key features include:

• 24/7 Access: The building provides round-the-clock access, ensuring tenants can work at their convenience.
• Doorman Service: A doorman is available to enhance security and provide assistance.
• State-of-the-Art Technology Infrastructure: The building is equipped with modern technology to support business operations.
• 24-Hour Security: Enhanced security measures ensure the safety of all tenants.
• Fully Equipped Conference Center: Ideal for hosting meetings or events.
• High-Speed Elevators: Efficient movement throughout the building.
• On-Site Parking: Available for tenants who require it.
• Tenant Lounge and Communal Kitchen: Spaces for employees to relax and recharge.